Cartography: Module 3

 Module 3: Cartographic Design

The objective of this module was to establish a tangible grasp and produce a deliverable using the principles of Gestalt: Visual hierarchy, contrast, figure-ground, and balance. These aesthetic rules dominate the visual arts and are solid guidelines used to create great maps. The lab assignment was to create a map of Washington D.C's Ward 7 neighborhood school district. The most important part was to clearly distinguish elementary, middle, and high schools with unique value hierarchal symbology.

The figure implements a strong visual hierarchy, clearly distinguishing elementary, middle, and high school symbology-wise. The information on the map of interest (schools in the area) is clearly conveyed with a strong contrast between the symbology and the basemap. The basemap is subtle enough and light in color so as to not distract the  viewer from the information of focus. I used a visual hierarchy scheme in my symbology for different school types. My elementary schools were small and pink, middle schools were medium sized and purple, and high schools were large and dark eggplant colored. The colors in my map are subtle, but offer contrast in certain key points. The color scheme is cool, with a subdued scale of gray-blue-green-yellow tones. The symbology of schools is a purple scale, which stands out against the yellow of the “Ward 7” polygon. The important roads (highways & interstates) are also bright colors that notably contrast. The figure-ground relationship is apparent, with Ward 7 being brought to the fore with a much lighter, creamy yellow color against the greater D.C. area, shaded in with gray. Ward 7 is a triangle shaped area and I was able to insert legends and other vital information on either side top & bottom of the focus area in the main map extent of the layout. I took advantage of all the empty space around the district, inserting text rectangles of matching colors with the Ward 7 polygon to create a cohesive feel.